Man with Van Watford Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Watford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading items for domestic and commercial clients.

We recognise our legal and moral duties to protect the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved in or impacted by our services. Health and safety considerations are integral to planning and delivering all removals, collections and deliveries.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aims of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our work and to promote continuous improvement in health and safety standards. To achieve this, Man with Van Watford will

Identify and assess significant risks related to our moving and transport operations.
Implement proportionate control measures to reduce risks to a reasonably practicable level.
Provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision to those carrying out work.
Maintain safe vehicles, equipment and working practices for all removal tasks.
Consult with workers and, where appropriate, clients on health and safety issues.
Review this policy regularly and update it in line with changes in legislation, guidance and our operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented across all activities undertaken by Man with Van Watford. This includes

Planning work so that health and safety risks are considered at the outset.
Ensuring risk assessments and method statements are prepared and followed.
Providing appropriate training for staff engaged in moving, lifting and driving.
Ensuring vehicles, trolleys, lifting aids and equipment are safe, suitable and maintained.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify lessons learned.
Allocating adequate resources to meet health and safety obligations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees and contractors working with Man with Van Watford are expected to

Follow training, safe systems of work and company procedures at all times.
Use vehicles, equipment, protective clothing and tools correctly and safely.
Report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses promptly to management.
Cooperate with health and safety instructions and participate in training.
Not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health, safety or welfare.
Present themselves fit for work, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for typical removal tasks, including packing, loading, transport and unloading. Where jobs present specific challenges, such as restricted access, heavy or awkward items or fragile goods, additional assessments and planning are undertaken.

Safe systems of work are developed and communicated to our teams. These include agreed methods for handling heavy items, using lifting aids, protecting floors and walls, and coordinating work in shared or busy areas. Our teams are instructed to stop work if conditions become unsafe and to seek guidance from management.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant aspect of removal work, and we take steps to minimise the risk of injury. Man with Van Watford

Provides manual handling training to staff, focusing on posture, lifting techniques and team coordination.
Assesses the weight, shape and stability of items before they are moved.
Uses equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps where appropriate.
Encourages team lifts for heavy or bulky items and avoids lone lifting of unsafe loads.
Plans routes to avoid unnecessary carrying, obstructions and uneven surfaces.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our service and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. We

Carry out regular checks and servicing of vans in line with manufacturer guidance.
Ensure loads are secured to prevent movement, damage or instability during transport.
Plan routes with consideration for time, traffic and safe driving conditions.
Expect drivers to comply with road traffic laws and to drive defensively and courteously.
Discourage the use of mobile phones while driving, except through lawful hands-free systems where it is safe to do so.

Client Premises and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in client homes, offices, storage facilities and shared spaces. To protect clients, visitors and the public, Man with Van Watford

Takes care to position vehicles safely and to avoid blocking access routes or emergency exits.
Uses warning signs or verbal communication where moving items may create short-term hazards.
Protects floors, walls and doorways where necessary to reduce the risk of slips, trips and damage.
Controls access to areas where large or heavy items are being moved.
Works tidily and keeps walkways clear of packing materials, tools and waste.

Equipment, Maintenance and Personal Protective Equipment

Removals equipment and tools are selected and maintained to support safe working. Where necessary, staff are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing, depending on the task and environment.

Equipment is inspected regularly, and any defective items are removed from use until repaired or replaced. Staff are instructed never to use equipment they suspect may be unsafe.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Watford provides ongoing training relevant to roles and responsibilities. This may include induction training for new staff, refresher training for existing staff and specific guidance on specialist tasks. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide feedback to reinforce safe behaviour and address unsafe practices promptly.

Information about health and safety procedures is communicated through briefings, written instructions and verbal guidance before and during jobs.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences are to be reported to management as soon as practicable. Reports are reviewed to identify causes and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, the nature of our work or relevant health and safety legislation. Updated versions are communicated to all staff to ensure continued understanding and compliance.

By following this policy, Man with Van Watford aims to deliver a reliable, efficient and safe removal service for every customer we serve.